by Brianna Crandall — June 10, 2016 — A proposed new standard from ASTM International will help determine the longevity of in-service building sealants. The proposed guide provides steps that should be followed in creating accelerated tests for these products that provide insulation, prevent leaking, and more.
“This standard is a reflection of the changing environment around accelerated testing of materials,” says ASTM member Christopher White, a research chemist at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. “There is a huge need to understand how long a material will last in service.”
According to White, the standard will help professionals systematically develop an effective accelerated design life test for joint sealant systems. Such systems separate the inside of a building from the outside, points out ASTM. These sealants include the critical materials that hold insulating glass units in place and minimize leakage of air, water, and more.
Those involved in new building joint sealant systems could benefit greatly from the standard, which is being developed by ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants, says the organization.
WK48490, Standard Practice for Developing Accelerated Tests to Aid Prediction of the Service Life of Sealants, will be available for purchase from the ASTM Web site.
Interested parties are encouraged to join in ASTM standards-developing activities. For more news in this sector, visit ASTM’s Construction gateway.
